STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL

February 10, 2022

Daniel’s Confession and Prayer for Jerusalem—Gabriel Comforts him by the Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. Dan. 9:1-27 continues.

“The whole period from the downfall of the theocracy, at the Babylonian captivity, until its re-establishment at Messiah’s second coming, was to constitute “the times of the Gentiles,” which were to be “troublous times” (v. 25). In them the street and wall of Jerusalem were rebuilt. But no recovery of the full freedom and glory of the theocracy was thereby realized for the Jews, nor has been ever since… It was in this period that the Saviour came… But now that “iniquity” has been “covered” (note, v. 24) by the atonement of Christ, the antitypical “Most Holy” place is anointed and consecrated; and by that new and living way which he has consecrated through the veil, that is, His flesh, believers may come boldly before God, accepted and justified in the everlasting righteousness” Fausset A. R

Dan. 9:25-27.

  1. Two princes mentioned. 1st.-Messaih the prince. vs.25 and 2nd- The prince that shall come. vs. 26. Jn.5:43
  2. The beginning of the 70 weeks. “These are “weeks” or, more accurately, sevens of years; seventy weeks of seven years each. Within these “weeks” the national chastisement must be ended and the nation re-established in everlasting righteousness (v. 24). The seventy weeks are divided into seven = 49 years; sixty-two = 434 years; one = 7 years (vs. 25–27). In the seven weeks = 49 years, Jerusalem was to be rebuilt in “troublous times.” Scofield C. I.
  3.  “Those who advocate a symbolic interpretation of this verse identify it with Cyrus’s decree allowing the captives to return to their homeland (2Ch 36:22-23; Ezr 1:1-3) in 539-538 b.c. Others hold a literal view of this verse and suggest that the starting point is Artaxerxes’ first decree in 457 b.c. (Ezr 7:11-26). Since neither of these decrees pertains to the restoration of Jerusalem, it is more likely that the decree that is the beginning point is Artaxerxes’ second decree in 444 b.c., authorizing Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 2:1-8). There will be a period of seven weeks of years (49 years) followed by 62 weeks of years (434 years), making a total of 69 weeks of years or 483 years from the decree until the coming of Messiah the Prince. The starting point of the prophecy would have begun on Nisan 1 (March 5), 444 B.C., followed by 69 weeks of 360-day biblical/prophetic years or 173,880 days, and culminated on Nisan 10 (March 30), A.D. 33, the date of Jesus the Messiah’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Lk 19:28-40).” HCSB Study Bible
  4. The prince in vs 26has been cut off after 69 weeks (483 years), i.e. 62 weeks after the 1st 7 weeks has been fulfilled in the death of Christ.
  5. The walls city and sanctuary rebuilt by Nehemiah were destroyed in A.D.70-see Lk.19:42-44; 21:20-21, Jerusalem & the temple was destroyed by the Romans.
  6. The prince that shall come is left with one week of 7 years vs 26-27. This has to do with the people of Israel and the sanctuary.
  7. Between the 69th & the 70th week of Daniel’s 70 weeks Prophecy is the MYSTERY Hidden in God. 1Cor. 2:7-9, Eph. 3:1-10, 1Pet. 1:9-12, Col. 1:24-27, Matt. 13:11-17; 16:16-19.